Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has dismissed opposition to his third-term candidature, which has turned violent, as a light breeze, according to media reports on Thursday.

"A breeze is a light wind which rustles the leaves of a tree, but never becomes a hurricane," Wade said Wednesday during a ceremony in Dakar.

The comments headlined in several daily newspapers and were confirmed by Wade's spokesman for the electoral campaign El Hadj Amadou Sall.

"The president was commenting on threats by the opposition who said their march would be the final assault on the presidential palace," Sall told AFP.

Wade has repeatedly dismissed the opposition's campaign of mass resistance against his controversial candidacy, calling their protests "temper tantrums."

The anti-Wade June 23 Movement grouping of opposition and civil society has called rallies in recent days where thousands have turned out to demand the 85-year-old resign.

The protests began Friday when the constitutional council gave Wade the green light to run in elections despite already having served two terms.

The gatherings have erupted into riots, leaving four people dead.

"All of you who have followed me during the difficult hours of opposition, you know very well these current agitations don't seem to be affecting the Senegalese," Wade said, referring to his 25 years as opposition leader.

"I hope I will still be here next year to further prove my ambitions for you," Wade said.